Closure latch and closure



Jan. 13, 1970 T. R. SALONIA 3,488,984

CLOSURE LATCH AND CLOSURE Filed May 5, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR7790/4/15 5ALO/V/A BY 7 {2 92 ATTORNEYS T. R. SALONIA CLOSURE LATCH ANDCLOSURE Jan. 13, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 196'? m w Mwm M n f.A W r% T. R. SALONIA Jan. 13, 1970 CLOSURE LATCH AND CLOSURE 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5 1967 k INVENTOR THOMAS A. SAw/W'A ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,488,984 CLOSURE LATCH AND CLOSU RE Thomas R.Salonia, New Britain, Conn., assignor to Emhart Corporation, Bloomfield,Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 5, 1967, Ser. No. 636,385

Int. Cl. E05b 9/08, 65/02, 65/44 US. Cl. 70-451 15 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE An improved combination of closure latch and closure andan improved closure latch structure. The closure latch and closure actin combination, the particular structure of each being such that theycooperate to provide a simple and secure mounting of the latch on theclosure. The latch comprises a body unit and a clip. The body unit ispositioned in a specially sized and shaped opening in the closure withfront and rear portions of the body unit projecting beyond oppositesides of the closure. The relationship between the closure latch and theclosure is such that the said latch and closure are assembled only byinsertion of the forwardly facing or front portion of the body unit in apivotal movement through the opening from the rear-of the closure untilstopped by a stop means on the latch body unit, the said body unit thenbeing moved in a sliding movement in the plane of the closure until endabutment means on the body unit move into engagement with the walls ofthe opening, fixing the latch against further movement in the plane ofthe closure. The clip is then moved by a sliding movement intoengagement between the said stop means and the closure to hold the latchand closure in secure as-, sembled relationship. The latch preferablyincludes a lock mechanism for locking the latch in closed position. Theclip further includes a resilient tab cooperative with the body unit ofthe latch when the clip is in place for holding a lock key by itsapertured top end. The key is held in place either when the clip andbody unit are assembled on a closure, or when the clip and body unit areassembled in the absence of a closure, in the form of an integralshipping unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvedcombination of closure latch and closure and to an improved closurelatch structure. The closures are primarily thin door or drawer panels,usually metal, such as encountered in fuse boxes, switch boxes, storagecabinets, and the like.

In closures of this type, it is desirable that the latch unit be appliedto the closure by a simple operation, without the use of numerousclosure fasteners and without the necessity for marking and cutting, ordrilling, numerous openings in the metal door or drawer panel. Suchdrilling and cutting, particularly in metal, requires special tools, andthe need for precision marking by templates or the like requiressubstantial mechanical training and skill.

It is desirable also that the substantial number of parts and fasteningsfound in the prior art closure and latch units be eliminated. Inshipping cabinet units, for example, having various separate parts whichare to be installed and assembled on the job, such as in the home, thesmaller component parts easily become lost, either during the shippingor during the unpacking. In addition, the identification of thesenumerous parts may be a problem during assembly. It is desirable,therefore, to reduce the closure latches for cabinet closures to anabsolute minimum of parts, and that the closure latch be assembled tothe closure with a minimum number of movements by the mechanic orworkman installing the designed project.

It is further desirable, from a commercial point of view, that there beno fastening units accessible from the front of the closure by means ofwhich the security of the closure latch and associated lock may beeasily broken, and unauthorized access obtained. The common problem inearlier latch and closure combinations, wherein the latch unit isinserted in an opening by rearward movement from the front of the panel,and secured by fastening means, is that the fastenings may be easilypried loose and the latch unit removed forwardly through the opening inthe panel. This is, of course, highly undesirable.

Still another trend in the design of closure fasteners is a streamliningand simplification of line, which design is defeated by the use ofseparate and numerous fasteners. The hiding of such fasteners has, inthe prior art, required the use of a separate masking cover, which isundesirable for many reasons. There is a problem in securing the coveritself, and the expense is greater because an additional part isrequired.

Still another need in the art is a unitary shipping unit, wherein all ofthe parts, including the key for the lock, may be assembled in one fixedunit, the parts being easily separated at the time the latch isinstalled on the closure.

Still another need in the latch art is a compact latch structure havingminimum bulk and projection forwardly from the closure, a moresimplified relation of parts, and a simplified and efficient manner ofapplying a key plug and a key plug locking finger to the latch bodyunit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide animproved combination of closure and closure latch and an improved latch,which may be assembled without special tools or mechanical skill orexperience. The latch unit comprises only two parts, namely, a body unitand a fastening clip, no other fasteners being required. When the latchis assembled by a simple assembly operation, the exterior face thereofis devoid of any fastening members. No'trim or cover elements arerequired to complete the assembly.

It is an object of the invention to provide a latch and closurecombination wherein the latch body cooperates with an opening in theclosure, which opening is specially sized and shaped so that the latchmay be mounted by insertion from the rear of the closure. Morespecifically, a front portion of the latch body unit is then insertedthrough the opening, and the body unit is rotated through the openinguntil the entire front portion has passed therethrough and abutmentmeans on the rear of the latch stop the latch body unit from furtherforward movement. The latch body unit is then moved in the plane of theclosure until the end abutment means on the latch body move intoengagement with the end walls of the opening. A generally U-shaped clipis then slidably inserted between the stop means and the rear surface ofthe closure, preventing separation of the latch from the closure. Thus,the latch is fixed firmly in position with a single operation and asingle fastening part. The latch may be easily removed, when the closurehas been unlocked and opened, by sliding removal of the clip member.Unauthorized removal of the latch unit while the closure is locked isimpossible without almost complete destruction of the latch or closureby force.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure latch andclosure wherein the closure latch may be applied by use of only a singleprecut opening of a precise size and shape in the closure panel. If theopening is not precut, or if the closure is not provided with theclosure latch, then only a single opening need be cut. This opening mayeasily be blocked out by use of a carpenters square or rule, and specialtemplates are not required.

Still another improved feature of the invention is that the fasteningclip may be attached to the body unit for shipment when the latch bodyunit is not in place on a closure. The key is held by a resilient taband the latch body unit and tab cooperate to close the tab opening,holding the key by its apertured end. The key may be removed by forcingit against the resilient tab or by sliding movement of the clip. Thebody unit, clip and key thus form a single shipping unit, without looseparts. Further, the key may be stored behind the closure if the key isneeded only for occasional use. This invention completely eliminates thepreviously known expedient of taping the key to the latch structureduring shipment.

A further feature of the present invention is an improved and simplifieddesign of the latch body unit and an improved and simplified manner ofmounting the key plug and key plug locking finger. More specifically,the latch arm and bolt are integral, with the pivot point of the latcharm being at the end of the latch body portion and in front of the latchbolt and closure strike. This reduces the overall length of the latch toa minimum, and holds the latch as close as possible to the edge of theclosure. It further leaves the center of the latch completely clear forthe reception of a key plug, again serving to reduce the size of thelatch. The key plug locking finger need only engage an abutment means onthe latch body unit. Therefore, the simplified latch of the presentinvention is more compact and more efiicient than those known in theprior art, and has a minimum of component parts.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the fOllOWing detailed description, the appended claims, and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective viewof the closure latch and closure of this invention, and illustrates bodyportions of the latch projecting beyond opposite sides of the closure,and the clip securing these components in assembled relationship.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG- URE l, with theclosure shown in fragmentary crosssection, and illustrating the mannerin which a key is carried by a tap on the clip.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear of the latch andclosure, illustrating the generally U- shaped configuration of the clip,and showing the manner in which the legs thereof are disposed betweenoppositely directed flanges of the latch and an inner surface of theclosure.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3,illustrating the locked position of the latch wherein a rotatable tongueof a keyactuated locking mechanism is received in a slot of the latchbody.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4,clearly illustrating the legs of the clip disposed between the flangesof the latch body and the closure,

FIGURE6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4, furtherillustrating the assembled relationship of the latch, the closure, andthe clip therebetwecn.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 ofFIGURE 4, illustrating the assembled relationship of the latch andclosure from the side opposite that shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latch and closure,illustrating the manner in which the latch is initially inserted intothe opening in the closure, followed by further relative swingingmovement of the latch into a coplanar position relative to the closure,

view taken along 4 and final longitudinal sliding movement into thefinal position of FIGURES 2 and 4.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the latch and closure insimilar positions to those shown in FIG- URE 8, illustrating in phantomoutline the final position of the latch and the position of the clipprior to insertion under the flanges of the latch body, with the legs ofthe latch between the latch body flanges and the inner surface of theclosure.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A novel closure latchconstructed in accordance with this invention is generally designated bythe reference numeral 10, and is illustrated in assembled relationshipwith its related closure 11 in FIGURES 1-7 of the drawings. The closure11 is a door of, for example, a fuse box, switch box, or other similarcabinet structures, and includes means defining a generally polygonal orrectangular opening 12. The opening 12 is defined by opposedlongitudinal edges 13, 14 and opposed transverse edges 15, 16. The edge16 is preferably, although not necessarily, of a stepped configurationand includes a central edge portion 17 and adjacent edge portions 20,'21. The transverse dimension of the opening 12 is designated by thereference character OT while the longitudinal dimension between the edge15 and the edge portions 20, 21 is designated by the reference characterOL (FIGURES 2, 3 and 9). The dimensions OT and CL, in combination withcorresponding dimensions of the latch 10, are important features of theinvention, as will become more apparent hereafter.

The closure 11 is preferably hingeably connected to the housing orcabinet (not shown), and includes an edge 22 which swings to a closedposition (FIGURE 2) in overlying relationship to a keeper 23 carried bya panel 24 of the cabinet. In the closed position of the closure 11 andthe panel 24, the two are generally in coplanar relationship, as is bestillustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings.

The latch 10 comprises a latch body 25 having first and second bodyportions 26, 27, respectively disposed at first and second sides 28, 29of the closure 11. In order to aid in the understanding of thisinvention, the first body portion 26 is defined as that portion of thelatch 10 which projects through the opening 12 toward the exterior ofthe cabinet and is immediately adjacent the first side 28 of the closure11, while the second body portion 27 is that portion of the latch 10which projects through the opening 12 toward the interior of the cabinetand is adjacent the second surface 29.

The latch 10 includes a handle 31 mounted for swinging or pivotingmovement relative to the first body portion 26 by a pivot pin 32. Thepivot pin 32 is connected at opposite ends to side walls 33, 34 havingrespective transversely oppositely directed flanges 35, 36 at the secondbody portion 27. At opposite longitudinal end portions of the first bodyportion 27 the side Walls 33, 34 are relieved or notched to defineshoulders 37, 38. Each shoulder 37 is defined by generally normallyrelated edges 40, 41, while each shoulder 38 is defined by similarnormally disposed edges 42, 43. The distance between the edges 41, 43 isdesignated by the reference character DE (FIGURE 9) which correspondsgenerally to the longitudinal dimension CL of the opening 12 in closure11. In the assembled relationship of the latch 10 and closure 11, theedges 41 of the latch 10 oppose the edge portions 20, 21 of the opening12 while the edges 43 oppose the transverse edge 15, thereby preventinglinear longitudinal relative movement between the latch 10 and the latchcarrying member 11, as is readily apparent from FIGURES 2 and 4 of thedrawings. In this same position, the edges or shoulders 40, 42 of thesecond body portion 26 overlie and contact the outer surface 28 of theclosure 11 and prevent the latch 10 from moving in a transversedirection toward the interior of the cabinet.

The flanges 35, 36 represent the maximum transverse dimension of thelatch body, designated by the reference character DT (FIGURE 3), whichdimension is greater than the transverse dimension OT of the opening 12(FIG- URE 3). In the assembled condition of the latch and the closure11, the flanges 35, 36 thereby define means carried by the second bodyportion 27 of the latch 10 which prevent transverse movement of thelatch toward the exterior of the cabinet. The flanges 35, 36 also formone end of a dimension DL (FIGURE 9) as measured from a rearmost edge35a or 36a of each flange to a forward end portion of wall 45 of thelatch 10, and the significance of this latter noted dimension will bemore apparent hereafter. The latch body further is provided with stopshoulders 42a having a function to be later described.

The handle 31 carries a housing 46 in which is rotatably mounted akey-actuated lock cylinder 47 having a rotatable locking tongue orkeeper 48. In the latched position of the lock 47 the tongue 48 isreceived in a slot 50 or a wall 51 of the latch body portion 27, whilein the unlatched position of the latch 10 the tongue 48 is displaced 180and permits pivotal movement of the handle 31 and a latch nose 52carried thereby. In the closed position of the closure 11 and the panel24, the nose 52 overlies the keeper 23 (FIGURE 2), while swingingmovement of the handle 31 from the solid to the phantom outline positionin FIGURE 2 draws the nose 52 into the body portion 27 of the latch 10,and clear of the strike, to permit the opening of the door 11.

The latch 10 and the closure 11 are maintained in assembled relationshipby clip means 53 in the form of a generally U-shaped or E-shaped cliphaving a pair of legs 54, 55, a bight portion 56 and a central tab 57terminating in an end 58. The bight portion 56 includes an upstandingtransverse wall 60 which is designed to be gripped by a person tofacilitate the assembly or disassembly of the clip relative to the latch10 and the member 11. The legs 54, 55 of the clip 53 include flanges 61,62, respectively, which are normally directed toward and seat againstthe side 29 of the member 11 in the assembled position, as is bestillustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. In the assembled position ofthe clip 53, the latch 10 and the closure 11, the legs 54, 55 of theclip 53 are positioned between the respective flanges 35, 36 and preventthe disassembly of these components unless the clip is removed. The clipis preferably constructed from resilient metallic sheet material and ismoved with a sliding motion from right-to-left, as viewed in FIGURES 2and 9 of the drawings to secure the latch 10 to the closure 11, whileopposite movement of the clip 53 results in the removal of the clip. Theclip 53 thereby serves as the sole means for retaining the latch 10 andthe member 11 in secure assembled relationship.

Referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the tab 57 is directed inwardlyout of the plane of the legs '54, 55 and the end 58 thereof is incontiguous overlying relationship to the wall 51 of the latch body 25.The tab 57 projects through an opening 0 of a key K which operates thelock cylinder 47. When a cabinet with the latch 10 secured thereto bythe clip 53 is shipped, or when the clip and closure latch are assembledfor shipping separately from the closure, the key is securely retainedupon the tab 57 and is thereby prevented from accidental loss. The key Kis removed by manually grasping the key and pulling the same toward andbeyond the phantom outline position shown in FIGURE 2, causing the endportion 58 of the tab 57 to be deflected away from the wall 51 andrelease the key. The key K can also be removed by grasping the wall 60of the clip '53 and sliding the same to space the end 58 of the tab 57from the wall 51.

The latch 10, the closure 11 and the clip 53 are assembled in a mannerwhich will be best understood with reference to FIGURES 8 and 9 of thedrawings. Assuming the latch 10 and the closure 11 are completelydisassembled, the end portion of the latch body remote from the end wall45 is inserted through the opening 12 from the side 29 toward the side28 until the ends 35a and 36a of the flanges 35 and 36 abut the side 29of the closure 11 and prevent further movement. At this point the latch10 and the member 11 are in the position shown in FIGURE 8 of thedrawings with the rear edges of the flanges 35, 36 adjacent thetransverse edge 15 of the opening 12. Thereafter, the latch 10 is swungor pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 9,causing the wall 45 to pass through the opening 12 adjacent thetransverse edge 16 as indicated by the doubleheaded arrow in FIGURE 9.This relative pivoting movement is permitted because the distance DL ofthe latch 10 is less than the distance CL of the opening 12, as isreadily apparent by comparing these dimensions in FIG- URE 9 of thedrawings. At the completion of the pivoting movement, the shoulders 42aare positioned against the surface 28, and the latch 10 is free to movelinearly relative to the closure opening until the edges 41 of the latch10 engage the transverse edge portions 20, 21 of the opening 12. This isaccomplished by simply sliding the latch 10 until the shoulders 43 dropoff the edge 15 of the opening, into the opening, and the latch occupiesthe phantom outline positions shown in FIGURE 9. The clip 53, with thekey K received on the tab 57, as shown in FIGURE 9, is then pushed fromright-to-left (as viewed in FIGURE 9) to the final assembled position ofFIGURE 2, at which time the resiliency of the clip draws the shoulders40, 42 into intimate engaging relationship with the surface 28 of themember 11, thus maintaining these components in assembled relationship.By reversing the steps just described, these components can be asrapidly disassembled as assembled. Furthermore, should the clip 53 be atany time removed completely from the assembled position, relativetransverse movement between the member 11 and the latch 10 in adirection normal to the plane of the member 11 will not dislodge thelatch 10 from the opening 12. For example, assuming the clip 53 can beremoved (FIGURE 2), outward or downward movement of the latch 10 throughthe opening 12 is prevented by the transverse flanges 35, 36overlappingly abutting against the surface 29 of the closure 11, whileupward or inward movement of the latch 10 through the opening 12 isprevented by the shoulders 40, 42 longitudinally overlapping andabutting the side 28 of the member 11.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenspecifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understoodthat minor variations may be made therein within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of a latch carrying member and a latch comprisingmeans defining an opening in said latch carrying member, said latchincluding a latch body positioned in said opening, said latch bodyincluding first means at a first side of said latch carrying member forpreventing straight line movement of said latch body through saidopening in a first direction, said latch body further including secondmeans at an opposite second side of said latch carrying member forpreventing straight line movement of said latch body through saidopening in a second direction opposite to said first direction, meansfor assembling said latch carrying member and said latch by relativeswinging movement therebetween, means for securing said latch and latchcarrying member in assembled relationship, said latch body includingfirst and second body portions projecting beyond said first and secondsides respectively, said first and second means being carried by saidrespective first and second body portions, said first means being a pairof oppositely directed end portions of said first body portion inoverlying relationship to said first side, and said second means being apair of oppositely directed flanges of said second body portion inoverlying relationship to said second side.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said securing means isclip means slidably engaged between said flanges and said second side.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said flanges aredisposed in directions generally normal to said pair of oppositelydirected end portions, and said securing means is clip means engagedbetween said flanges and said second side.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and secondbody portions are defined in part by a pair of side walls, at least oneof said side walls being notched to define a shoulder, and said shoulderbeing received in said opening in opposed relationship to an edge ofsaid opening whereby movement of said latch relative to said opening inone direction is precluded by abutment between said shoulder and saidedge.

5. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said clip meansincludes a projecting tab having an end portion terminating at a pointin contiguous relationship to said second body portion whereby a keycarried by said tab is prevented from removal therefrom.

6. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said clip meansincludes a projecting tab having an end portion, and said clip means ismounted for sliding movement between first and second positions at whichsaid tab end portion is closely adjacent to and spaced from said secondbody portion respectively whereby a key carried by said tab isrespectively prevented from removal from and permitted to be assembledupon said tab.

7. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said latch includes ahandle swingably carried by said latch body, a latch tongue carried bysaid handle, and a slot in said latch body for receiving said latchtongue to prevent swinging movement of said handle relative to saidlatch body.

8. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said side wallsincludes a second shoulder at one end portion thereof opposite saidfirst-mentioned shoulder, and said second shoulder is received in saidopening in opposed relationship to another edge of said opening inopposed relationship to said first-mentioned edge whereby movement ofsaid latch relative to said opening in a direction opposite said onedirection is precluded by abutment between said second shoulder and saidanother edge.

9. The combination of a latch carrying member and a latch comprisingmeans defining an opening in said latch carrying member;

said latch including a latch body and a movable latch bolt mounted onsaid body;

said latch body being positioned in said opening with a first portionprojecting from a first side of said opening and a second portionprojecting from the opposite side of said opening;

abutment means on said first portion of said body for preventingstraight line movement of said first portion through said opening, saidabutment means extending beyond the edges of said opening; abutmentmeans on said second portion of said body for preventing straight linemovement of said second portion through said opening, said abutmentmeans extending beyond the edges of said opening;

means for permitting assembly and removal of said latch from said latchcarrying member by relative swinging movement of one of said bodyportions through said opening;

said opening having a predetermined linear dimension of width, and themaximum width of said second body portion being less than the said widthof said opening; and

means including :a removable element for securing said latch and latchcarrying member in assembled relationship by preventing reverse relativeswinging movement of said one of said body portions through saidopening.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein said removable elementof said securing means is positioned between one of said abutment meansand a face of said latch carrying member.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said opening has apredetermined linear dimension of length,

said first body portion being shorter than said predetermined dimensionand said second body portion being longer than said predetermineddimension,

the length of said first body portion being positioned between the endsof the length of said second body portion.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11,

said second body portion having spaced stop shoulders spaced apart adistance substantially the same as said predetermined linear dimension.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 9,

said removable element having a hooked finger the end of which iscontiguous to one of said bdoy portions when said latch and latchcarrying member are in assembled relationship, said finger therebyproviding a releasable key holding means for the assembled latch.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 9,

the abutment means on said second body portion being at right angles tothe abutment means on said first body portion.

15. The combination of a latch carrying member and a latch comprising,

means defining an opening in said latch carrying member;

said latch including a latch body and a movable latch bolt mounted onsaid body;

said latch body being positioned in said opening with a first portionprojecting from a first side of said opening and a second portionprojecting from the opposite side of said opening;

abutment means on said first portion of said body for preventingstraight line movement of said first portion through said opening;

abutment means on said second portion of said body for preventingstraight line movement of said second portion through said opening;

means for permitting assembly of said latch carrying member and saidlatch by successive relative swinging and sliding movement of one ofsaid body portions through and in the plane of said opening;

said opening having a predetermined linear dimension of width, and themaximum width of said second body portion being less than the width ofsaid opening; and

means including a removable element for securing said latch and latchcarrying member in assembled relationship by preventing reverse relativesliding and swinging movement of said one of said body portions throughsaid opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1960 Gray et a1. 7086 8/1960Vahlstrom 70370 s. 01. x i, 7o -77, 457

